NFL Draft 2012: 1st-Round Scenarios for the Arizona Cardinals

The NFL’s free-agency period is all but over, and we are now just under a month away from the draft.

Arizona was very quiet when it came to free agency and left themselves with multiple holes to fill as draft day approaches.

With no second-round pick, it will be hard for the Cardinals to fill those holes this offseason. That said, there are a couple of scenarios that would put Arizona in great shape heading into the 2012 season.

The following slides will feature possible draft-day scenarios for the Arizona Cardinals and debate which scenario is best for them going forward.

Offensive Tackle

For those of you who have read some of my other articles about Arizona over the past month or two, you may have noticed that I have been talking a lot about Levi Brown and the rest of the Cardinals offensive line.

Arizona’s offensive line has been pretty bad over the past two seasons, but with the addition of Daryn Colledge last offseason and Adam Snyder this year, they are only one piece away from having a pretty solid group.

The Cards met with free agent Demetrius Bell earlier in the offseason, but if they are not able to sign him, then it is a must that they take either Riley Reiff or Jonathon Martin.  

Outside Linebacker

If the Cardinals are able to land Demetrius Bell, then that eliminates their need for an offensive lineman. This leaves them with holes at just two positions—outside linebacker and wide receiver.

Joey Porter and Clark Haggans were the starters as the 2011 season began; however, after a slow start and an injury, rookie Sam Acho and second-year player O’Brien Schofield got to see the field more and more.

Both of them showed great potential, but if Melvin Ingram is still on the board at 13 and the Cards front office is comfortable with Early Doucet and Andre Roberts on offense, then Ingram would be a great addition to the defense.

Wide Receiver

It was very surprising to see the Cardinals do next to nothing on offense in free agency given the number of quality receivers available.

Arizona has been in need of a No. 2 receiver since Steve Breaston took off for Kansas City last offseason, and they will have the chance to address that with the 13 pick IF they are able to sign Demetrius Bell.

If Bell signs, the decision that the Arizona front office would have to make is are they more confident in O’Brien Schofield and Sam Acho or Andre Roberts and Early Doucet.

That said, I think the obvious choice here is Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd.

Trade Down

With no second-round pick and a couple of holes to fill, trading down would be a great way for Arizona to get back into the second round, and it would be their best option.

There are still players like Mike Adams, Courtney Upshaw and Stephen Hill that could all be on the board late in the first round. With the addition of the second-round pick, the Cards would also be able to grab someone like Chandler Jones or Alshon Jeffery.